Every ceremony has a welcome, declaration of consent, vows and a pronouncement. But you can spice things up if you pepper your ceremony with elements to bring out your personalities, beliefs and values.
Consider adding something active or sentimental to incorporate the people celebrating with you. You can involve parents, children or friends – even the whole gathering. This can help to balance the wedding officiant’s expected words with something unanticipated.
Find something that fits your style – a reading or song that holds meaning to you or your families. You might choose to write your own vows sharing them with no one (but your officiant) until the ceremony – often the most memorable part of the celebration! We are happy to help you – just ask!
Or, consider incorporating a tradition – it is always fun and takes advantage of your interests or the ceremony venue. Below are some examples:
A Wine Box Ceremony is a beautiful non-religious ritual that will celebrate your love — and your love of wine — on your wedding day and on a future anniversary. You will need a favorite bottle of wine, a wine box and a love letter written by each of you to seal your vows on the wedding day and to be opened on your 1st, 5th or 10th anniversary.
A Flower Exchange can be between husband and wife made after your vows, incorporating two roses or your favorite flowers, as your first gifts as husband and wife. Or, make it a memorable moment and honor both of your mothers by presenting them each with a rose in appreciation of all each has done to bring you to this place in your life.
The Infinity Cord is a unity ritual that symbolizes your intent to make this an everlasting union and has religious beginnings, though it can incorporate your faith or simply symbolize your love for one another.
The Seashell or Stone Tradition involves the entire gathering and is engaging and a great photo opportunity. A stone or seashell is placed on each person’s chair. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the gathering walks to the edge of the water if you are at the beach. Everyone makes a wish or gives their blessing and the stone or shell is tossed into the sea.. Or, you can provide a vessel into which each person can place their stone or shell and make a wish or give their blessing upon your marriage.
The Sand Tradition is a unity ritual that expresses the union of two people or two families. It is a very simple idea that can be incredibly powerful. Typically, each person has different colored sand and takes turns pouring it into one clear vessel, forming a layered effect. A nice touch is to use or include sand from the beach on which the ceremony is being held to signify the importance of the special place where you made your vows.
